New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-03-08
MIR. REED ON THE LAST CONGRESS-
HE SUMMARIZES ITS SINS OF OMISSION
FAILING TO DISCERN WHAT THE COUNTRY REAPED
FROM ITS SESSION.
lsr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE


FROM ITS SESSION.
(sY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
WASHINGTON, March I'm summing up the
achievements and failures OF the XLIXth Congress,
especially OF the House of Representatives Mr. Reed
of Maine, tonight sail: " The XLIXth Congress has
failed to do its most important work. perceive that
those who thankful tor little trying by the
enumeration Ia separate lines OF number ot small
things to make catalogue which will show quantity
ii not quality Ii the country is disposed TO ecitats
itself the Presidential Succession bill which gave
the President power OF attorney choose his suc-
cessor and substituted the possibility OF Baydrd
for the possibility OF Sherman; over the
Presidential Count bill which provides for a
contingency as liabe to happen agan as lightning to
strike twice In the same place or over the Interstate
Commerce BILL the largest uncertainty that any nation
ever enactei-the cOuntry must be very easily salts
he /. II the country Will pause and reflect and sum
mon TO its recollection the memory OF what was eN
pected OF this Congress when II began, ii will lind that
OF the three great measures which were then deemed
OF Importance every one is still in the future. These
measures were reduction OF the surplus, defence OF
the country AMI admission OF three States IN the great
Northwest In the House of Representatives. not one
OF these measures has received even consideration not
OF them has risen TO the dignity OF debate Not
elOguence has been wasted on Thea. On the
surplus twice Mr. Morrison with his column marched
up hill and then marched down; twice hr. Randall
with mis- contingent could have been seen with good
glasses making time what seemed TO be bill until
he faded from our vision behind long letter. which.
il he understood himself, marks him the most acute
man Of this or any age. Meantime the surplus re-
mans OF course the Administration will now have
to Guy bonds and worry the banks hoard and worry
the country. Ii is str'nge how much reform Looks
like Acapacty The great call tor Notifications and
great guns did not have its origin in PARTISAN cnJr.
Samuel j. Iiden spent the thoughts OF his last days
the detenceless condition OF his country. The
Democratic newspapers We'd with the Republicans in
reerating his demand. Yet the House OF Repre- senta
tlyes with cOntemptUous disregard OF the needs OF
the country gave tOrtifcation ordnance bill for
either session And the country remains not only with
out guns, but without the capacity and appliances to
make them. Ii must be fifteen months before another
al preparation bill pass Ii VIII take two years 10
build an eighth and foar to build a sxteen-inch
gun. Hence we close the XLINth Congress With 10
gun TOR toridcation possible for more tnan three
years.
:" Mr. Randall, in the explanation he caused to be
given OF his failure thought he could have agreed to
do some thing II he had had time. As Mr. CutcheOn
pointed out. he had had the Senate bill nine months.
The truth was nc didn't want time, but eternity, and
thus far he TO have got II. The truth Is the
whole Democratic party-bOth wngs-are struggling
to the surplus by refusing needed eXpendi-
lures that they may make flank attaca on protec
ton. They are not wiling 10 meet the question openly
aud Will shout uown with the surplus when they
mean down with the tariff
" The refusal to admit the three great Territories
was denial OF the right OF local seligOvernment 10
SOO,OOO Am srican citizens, who have made q great
empire in the Northwest. So far from being able 10
Justify its action in this matter the House dared
that dared to face II. The reason not only
obvious, but stated in iuil house and denied
Ii because feared that the votes OF the new
States would be Republican.
have time to talk 10 YOU about the apprOpria-
tons but am told they will be large in total as
those OF last session, which exceeded the three preced
ing years by average OF Il, 900 900 and this not
withsandng the failure OF the Deficiency bill and the
River and llarbOr Decidedly, il anybody wishes to
be happy the last Congress- it cannot be over the
House end Of it,"